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Public Health Alert: State Health Department Encourages Individuals to Take Safety Measures to Prevent the Spread of Hepatitis A

Confirmed Case of Hepatitis A in Restaurant Worker in Seneca County – Finger Lakes Region

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 13, 2015) – The New York State Department of Health is encouraging individuals who consumed food or drink at the McDonald's restaurant located at 2500 Mound Road, in Waterloo, NY to protect themselves against Hepatitis A following confirmation that an employee with the disease worked at the restaurant while infectious. Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person. Most people with Hepatitis A will feel sick for a few months before they begin to feel better. The McDonald's is located four miles off of New York State Thruway Exit 41, which is near the Waterloo Premium Outlets.

Individuals who consumed food or drink at this McDonald's on the following dates: October 31, November 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, should check with their local health department or family physician, or attend one of two clinics to obtain preventive immunization. The Seneca County Health Department has set up clinics to provide Hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin to prevent infection to individuals who may have been exposed. Clinics are scheduled for Saturday, November 14, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mynderse Academy, 105 Troy Street, Seneca Falls. Additional clinic hours will be available at this same location on Sunday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals interested in attending the clinic are encouraged to pre-register online at:http://www.health.ny.gov/Go2Clinic/50.

The Hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin is only effective within two weeks of exposure to the virus. Patrons served at McDonald's at 2500 Mound Road, Waterloo on the specified dates should receive the hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin as soon as possible. If you had Hepatitis A virus infection in the past or received the complete 2-dose series of Hepatitis A virus vaccine you are immune to Hepatitis A virus infection and are NOT at risk. The vaccine for Hepatitis A for children is recommended and your child may have been vaccinated already, if you do not know if your child has received the Hepatitis A vaccine, you should check your child's vaccine records.

Hepatitis A virus is a highly contagious disease that infects the liver. The virus is usually spread when a person ingests objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces, or stool, of an infected person. It can be spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with the virus.

Hepatitis A signs and symptoms commonly appear within 28 days of exposure, with a range of 15-50 days. These symptoms may include an abrupt onset of fever, malaise, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, dark-colored urine, light colored stool and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes). The disease is rarely fatal and most people recover in a few weeks without any complications. Not everyone who is infected will have all of the symptoms. Hepatitis A signs and symptoms typically do not appear until the individual has had the virus for a few weeks.

The State Health Department has established a hotline for patrons of the McDonald's at 2500 Mound Road, in Waterloo, N.Y. Those individuals who have questions or concerns should call: 1-844-364-6397. The hotline will be staffed Friday November 13, 2015 through 12:00 midnight and again Saturday November 14, 2015 from 8:00a.m.- 8:00p.m.